I'm a blog and business coach who strives to help conscious, creative entrepreneurs build and grow sustainable, service-based businesses online.

I'm Lauren Dailey.

Bohemian

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7 Ways to Avoid “Blogger Burnout”

I’ve been hearing a lot lately about something I like to call “Blogger Burnout”. This is quite like the regular form of burnout, that many people get when they are working too much, but being a blogger myself, I’ve noticed that blogger burnout can come on quicker and harder than regular burnout. This is because we focus on SOCIAL MEDIA as a main part of our income. Everyone knows how toxic social media can be, and when your primary source of income comes from one or more of the social media platforms, that toxicity is tenfold. You are constantly focusing on what someone else is doing and how far they’ve come, rather than focusing on yourself and how you can improve yourself individually. What may work for someone else may not work for you. This is the comparison game of life, and you will not win if you just want to “beat” someone else.

All of what I am about to say is from personal experience with the subject, as this is the first year where the majority of my income comes from social media. I have it nowhere near figured out, as “Blogger Burnout” still affects me in ways I wish it didn’t. I am constantly learning, but I have figured out some ways that keep me from the comparison game that I hope help some of you out there as well.

5 Ways to Avoid Blogger Burnout:

1. Meditate or do yoga: One of the most important practices that I have incorporated into my routine in the last month is meditation and yoga. I have done yoga before, but I am a newbie at meditation. You can read more about this new practice on in this blog post. It has hands down changed my productivity levels and mantra on life.

2. Meet up with a friend: Friends always get me out of a funk. But just make sure that this is NOT work related. If you are meeting up with a friend for an event or to shoot, that can be fun, but often times it will leave you more stressed out than before. Get off your phone, social media and just be.

3. Go for a walk/get outside: One of the most helpful things for me to get back on my creative game is to GET OUT OF YOUR SPACE. For me this has been hard because I have so much to do that I am usually running around like a crazy person inside my house, but once I go outside, it is literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air. Take time to notice the moving parts of your neighborhood, the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the plants and people out. It’s a nice way to start or end the day.

4. Call your mom: For me, when I need a break, I always call my mom. She is my best friend, motivator, perspective-shifter, and all around the best person to uplift your mood. If you have an outlet like this in your life, utilize it!

5. Make time for yourself and PLAY: Out of all the recommendations above, this is the hardest for me to do. I don’t know why, but it is so hard for me to stop and actually find value in taking time for myself. But it’s just like meditating… When I do it, I am more productive, I have a clearer stance on what direction I am taking my business, and then go out and do it! One of my favorite ways to “play” is to go for a bike ride with Joe, have a little weekend getaway, or maybe just a little bath.

6. Write it out: I keep a journal and write everything down. Usually I do this right after my morning meditation (see #1). Writing down your thoughts and how you are feeling and not being ashamed of them can free up space in your mind in order for you to process other things. It’s all about freeing up space and using writing as a tool for therapy. It is a great way to begin to feel the “BE HERE NOW” sensation that is brought on by all these other tips as well.

7. Focus on wellness: As Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential recommends, focus on your wellness as a preventative measure to avoid feeling burnout or feelings of anxiety or depression. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating your veggies? Are you exercising? All of these factors contribute to your overall well-being and ability to get things done.

As humans, we need to think of ourselves as a battery- we need recharging too. Staying off social media, connecting with individuals and nature are great ways to get back into yourselves and bodies. Being here now is the best way to avoid burnout.

Do you all have any tips for avoiding burnout or relieving feelings of depression and anxiety?